A blog for our museum located in the beautiful city of Roanoke, Virginia, maintained as a special look into some of the exciting events and exhibitions that we have to offer. Visit our website as well for any information not provided in the tabs above at www.vahistorymuseum.org!

Life is busy, that is a commonly accepted fact. But sometimes it is worth it to take a little time and enjoy your surroundings. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers Virginians, and those passing through, an excellent opportunity to escape the hustle and get a breath of fresh air. The Parkway offers beautiful views and near silence. Next time you’ve got a free afternoon take a drive up there and see for yourself.

3) Climate

Climate might seem like an odd thing to be thankful for as the days grow colder and the nights grow longer, but Virginia has a wonderful climate. There are not many places that offer a full range of seasons. Want a little bit of everything? Move to Virginia. The summers are warm, the winters are cold, fall offers beautiful leaves and crisp days, and spring is always alive with an abundance of blooming flowers.

4) Community

Western Virginia has a strong sense of community, offering ample opportunities to attend community events. Each weekend there are several festivals, openings, and events throughout the area. These events offer guests the ability to meet new people, enjoy the company of good friends, and support their local economies.
Events and Festivals in Roanoke: Visit RoanokeEvents and Festivals throughout Virginia: Virginia is for Lovers
Events in the Shenandoah Valley: Shenandoah Valley Calendar
Visit Shenandoah: Upcoming Festivals and Events

Like this:

Happy 100th Birthday to the McGuire Building, home of Center in the Square and its tenant organizations, including us the History Museum of Western Virginia. Construction on the building started in 1913 by J.F. Barbour and Sons, a major Roanoke contractor. The building designed by architect Hutcheson was completed in 1914. The building was commissioned by William E. McGuire, John W. Woods, and D.S. Meadows. They bought the lot where the McGuire Building still stands in 1904 and operated their business, The Farmers Supply Co. which the men had been founded in 1895, out of that temporary building until the McGuire Building was finished.

The Farmers Supply Co. sold buggies, wagons, seed, and fertilizer in the 81,500 square-foot building. Margaret, McGuire’s daughter recalls “My father, I don’t know how he managed, but he had the whole building jam-packed with things to sell. Papa cut it up and used it all…an auto dealer was on the first floor, he had an office on the second floor, seed was on the third floor and whatever he had to store was on the fourth and fifth floors.”

Fun Facts about the McGuire Building (1914)

1913-1914 excavate the site

F. Barbour and Sons, a major Roanoke contractor, built the sturdy concrete structure at 29 East Campbell Avenue. The Building was designed by Architect, Mr. Hutcheson.

According to his daughter Margaret Cutshall, William E. McGuire was born near Burnt Chimney in Franklin County. He was raised by his half-brother and his wife after his mother died when McGuire was a baby.

According to historian Raymond Barnes, the Farmers Supply Co. was founded in 1895 by McGuire, John W. Woods and D.S. Meadows. They bought the lot where the McGuire Building stands in 1904 and operated their business out of that building until the McGuire Building was finished.

The McGuire Building is 81,500 square-foot structure built to house William E. McGuire’s Farmers’ Supply Co., which sold buggies, wagons, seed and fertilizer.

Margaret, McGuire’s daughter recalls “My father, I don’t know how he managed, but he had the whole building jam-packed with things to sell. Papa cut it up and used it all…An auto dealer was on the first floor, he had an office on the second floor, seed was on the third floor and whatever he had to store was on the fourth and fifth floors.”

According to his daughter, McGuire met his wife Mary Margaret Harris when she came to town to meet her uncle. She ran into McGuire at Stuart’s Furniture Store. At the time William and Mary were both engaged to other people. However, they broke of their engagements and married each other.

Almost from the beginning the McGuire Building housed small restaurants and farmers’ booths on the first floor. One such place became a Roanoke staple, the Roanoke Weiner Stand, then called the Roanoke Weinnie Stand started there in 1916.

William McGuire died in 1923 and his son, William E. McGuire Jr. kept the business for several years. Afterwards through the 1970s McGuire Building was home to several smaller businesses including the Roanoke Wiener Stand, Waldrop Price Hardware, Rocky’s market, Whitten-Martin Furniture Company and the restaurant Famous Lunch.

Renovated in 1983 to house Center in the Square and its cultural organizations.

Renovated again 2012 to 2013.

Currently partnered with Center in the Square: History Museum of Western Virginia, Science Museum of Western Virginia, Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Mill Mountain Theatre, Opera Roanoke, O. Winston Link Museum, Roanoke Ballet Theatre, and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.

If you would like to see the newly renovated Center in the Square the building is open 10-5 Monday-Saturday and 1-5 Sunday.